YamahaYRA-312B Alto Recorder, simulated Rosewood finish, Key of F

Even 25 years ago, I found that the simple Yamaha recorders gave me more consistent response and better intonation and tone than plastic and wooden recorders costing several times more. No, they were not then and still are not high-quality wooden recorders ... and they also aren't as vulnerable to damage.This Yamaha YRA-312B III recorder is a cut above the Yamaha alto I played for many, many years and never could find a plastic upgrade for. The curved windway gives sweet response in the high register and improved tone that only my fine Moeck Rottenburgh recorders can best (and, in many common playing environments, the finer points of the Moeck would be lost). As with my former favorite Yamaha, the intonation is true, setting me free to make music instead of turning my attention to correcting unnecessary instrument flaws.Why choose the fake Rosewood over the other Yamaha 300 series recorders? First of all, the Rosewood looks GREAT. My only beef is that I can't very easily line up the head and middle joints with the plastic seams the way I used to with my "plain" plastic recorders. :-) But there's a functional reason, too. The "simulated Rosewood" finish has a matte appearance and slightly textured feel. That means fingers, especially sweaty fingers, don't slip as easily ... and clip-on thumbrests stay where they're put while you're busy playing instead of creeping up (always right before that tricky fast passage where everyone listens to YOUR part).Does the simulated Rosewood sound better? I can't say, but it doesn't sound worse and if the appearance causes the listener to perceive the sound as more pleasing, who's to argue with the end result? Or maybe the player is more inspired by the appearance, bringing about a more inspired and musical performance. The latter is quite possibly true for me.Included is a wonderful, breathable cloth zippered bag, joint cream, a fingering chart in case this is a first instrument (or if it's an upgrade and you need help remembering how to get those obscure high notes), and a cleaning rod (you supply the lint-free cloth to thread through the rod's eye and swab out the recorder, washing or discarding the cloth when it gets dirty).Between the playing quality, high-end case, aesthetic appeal, and the slightly textured finish, this recorder is well worth the additional cost for someone who is a serious player (it's still 20x less than a Moeck Rottenburgh in real Rosewood, and it's totally replaceable). The Yamaha YRA-312BIII simulated Rosewood Alto Recorder immediately became my new alternate concert instrument for those times when plastic is the appropriate choice to spare the valuable wood instrument, and it sits out at my desk, at the ready for random noodling without causing undue worry about the consequences should the cat get creative and actually manage to knock it on the floor.I just wish Yamaha made simulated Rosewood sopraninos and tenors as well as the soprano and alto!

This recorder uses the Baroque (not German) Fingering convention widely used in most countries esp the commonwealth.+: Produces beautiful warm sonorous tones ... reliable intonation and highly responsive - a joy to play ++ much more.Easy to maintain - washable. Durable. High standards of manufacture guarantee consistent homogeneous quality between each instrument - you can be confident whatyou are purchasing. Selection becomes a non issue. Losses can be replaced by simply purchasing another one and you will know that you will be purchasing similarperformance capability. Professional quality made affordable to the masses.-: Does clog somewhat after extended play but the instrument can be prepped beforehand with anti-clog solution available from recorder specialist. This was providedto me when I purchased the YRT 304B but I haven't used it yet.I am very happy with my purchase of the Yamaha YRS, YRA 314B and 316B (yes I purchased all four) which I think is at par with branded wooden recorders 6-10 times the price. A great second instrument or spare for travelling.I can personally attest that it is true that the simulated woodgrain finish versions YRA 314 & 316 (strangely enough) produce a superior tone to the normal ABS resin finish 302 model - perhaps this is due to the outer coating that resonates better. For not a lot more, the simulated wood-grain version IS well-worth paying for.YRA 312B in simulated Rosewood has a rich warm reddish brown colour whilst YRA 314B in simulated Ebony is a quieter yellow brown - both with attractive printed woodgrain finish.Yamaha did a real service to the world by making this attractive gem so affordable.

I used to play the annoying soprano flutes in elementary school and mastered it, and went to an alto, and it's a more pleasing sound than the sopranos. I wish that there was a thumb hold down range, that would have made this even better, but the price was something that I found especially good. The PVC plastic feels good, sturdy, and I accidentally dropped it out of a semi truck in a parking lot, and no dings or scratches, and it played just the same. I like how you can take it apart and clean it.